Read about animal technologies that are used for monitoring the reproductive activity, health, welfare status and feeding of dairy cows.

Animal Technologies

The development of animal-based technologies began with individual cow identification and was followed by sensors that measure characteristics of the individual cow. These sensors have included activity, weight changes and blood, milk and rumen parameters that may assist in supporting the health, welfare and reproductive management of individual dairy cows. Many of the sensors that are available for monitoring the reproductive activity, health and welfare status and feeding of dairy cows are described more fully in the EU Industry Innovations Report (PDF, 1.8MB).

Automatic gate timers

The daily task of fetching cows for milking and opening gates to new paddocks can be a repetitive and mundane task. Automatic gate timers release the gate through a latch mechanism, but can only open gates, not close them. However, automatic gate timers may allow the voluntary movement of cows to the dairy with potential improvements in labour efficiency and cow lameness.

More information

Prepared by Matthew Reynolds, Project Officer at the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary industries. This fact sheet describes how automatic gate timers work and the implications of installing and using this technology. In addition, Matthew has examined the benefit:cost of this technology.

More information

This fact sheet describes two main types of cow identification that have two quite distinct purposes; the official National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) and the within-farm cow management identification system.

Heat detection activity meters

The majority of automated heat detection systems in Australia work by monitoring cow activity. These automated systems have been developed to detect increased activity either as steps or neck movements.

A Fact sheet has been prepared that describes how the activity meter works and how dairy farmers can use the information generated by the technology.

More detailed information on the various automated heat detection technologies currently available in Australia.

Case Studies

These case studies describe how dairy farmers have implemented activity meters on their own farm and their experiences with this technology. This information is presented as both a short two page document and a recorded video with the dairy farmer.

Mark Billing, Colac, Victoria

Craiglands Dairy is a family owned partnership consisting of Mark Billing and his wife. They milk about 450 cows on 280 hectares dryland milking platform about 5 km west of Colac in Victoria.

Laboratory Tests for Pregnancy Diagnosis in Dairy Cows

Reliable methods for detecting early pregnancy in dairy cows include rectal palpation, ultra sound examination and laboratory-based tests that target proteins or hormones that become elevated in blood and/or milk during pregnancy.

More information

This fact sheet describes the range of laboratory tests for pregnancy diagnosis in dairy cows that are commercially available in Australia. Contact details of the major suppliers of the tests and the pros and cons of laboratory testing generally, is included.

Case Studies

Case studies demonstrate how dairy farmers have used laboratory tests for diagnosing pregnancy in their cows, and their experiences with this technology.

Greg Rogers, Katunga, Victoria

Greg Rogers milks 260 cows, mainly Friesians with a few Jerseys at Katunga in northern Victoria.

Walkover weigh scale systems

Walkover weighing technology is commercially available in several Australian livestock industries, including dairy. Walkover weigh scales are designed to sit in the exit race of a dairy and weigh cows as they leave the dairy after each milking.

More information

This fact sheet describes how the walkover weigh scales work and how dairy farmers can use the information generated by the technology. Contact details of the major suppliers, together with approximate cost and other relevant information is included.

Case Studies

Case studies demonstrate how dairy farmers have implemented walkover weigh scales on their own farm and their experiences with this technology. This information is presented as both a short two page document and a recorded video with the dairy farmer.

Mark Billing, Colac, Victoria

Craiglands Dairy is a family owned partnership consisting of Mark Billing and his wife. They milk about 450 cows on 280 hectares dry land milking platform about 5 km west of Colac in Victoria.

Initiatives

Dairy Feed Tools is a complete feed management toolset for dairy farmers and managers. Feed planning, cost and resource management backed by Australian feed and pasture data to most accurately reflect the needs of your herd